30th January 2025

Water levels at Athelhampton are very high with good water levels at Mill Mead and Waterbarn Cottages. Wildfowl were scattered across the flooded areas. Lapwing 350, and Snipe 6 were noted on Mill Mead.

A calm sunny day which provided perfect conditions for raptors and they did not dissapoint. A Red Kite was noted in a tree at Green Field. The adult bird remained on the farm for most of the afternoon. Buzzard 6 were noted at Mill Mead, Limepits, and Waterbarn Cottages. Kestrel 3 were noted around Waterbarn Cottages.

Red Kite

Red Kite

28th January 2025

The stormy weather continues with water levels reaching new heights on the meadows! 

Wigeon 270, Teal 125, Canada Goose 119, Egyptian Goose 4, Lapwing 180, Green Sandpiper, 

Egyptian Goose

25th January 2025

An afternoon spent on the farm which produced a high count of Reed Bunting 107 at Big and Little Straps.

Wildfowl numbers were up on Puddletown Water Meadows Canada Goose 202, Wigeon 410, Teal 70 with Lapwing 551. 

Reed Bunting

Coal Tit

16th and 23rd January 2025

23rd January 2025

A late visit following heavy rain saw good numbers of wildfowl on the water meadows:-

Shoveler imm, Wigeon 305, Teal 65, Greylag Goose 2, 

A late afternoon movement of Lapwing 254 W towards Mill Mead.

Barn Owl, Merlin low flight over North Field at 1630, Jack Snipe Waterbarn Cottages and Tawny Owl 2 Green Field.

16th January 2025

Water Rail heard at white bridge at Athelhampton and a Kingfisher in flight over Athelhampton Road at 1505hrs.

Shoveler 1 drake, Wigeon 250, Canada Goose 192, 

Hawaiian Goose and Swan x Greylag Goose on Mill Mead.

12th January 2025

 WeBS counts:- 

Site totals:- Canada Geese (187), Greylag Goose (2), Barnacle Goose (7), Egyptian Goose (2), Mute Swan (18), Wigeon (483), Teal (185), Mallard (31), Goosander (1), Moorhen (5), Little Grebe (3), Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (4), Little Egret (8), Lapwing (291), Snipe (12), Green Sandpiper (1), Common Gull (3), Black-headed Gull (18),Herring Gull (14), Buzzard (5), Kestrel (1), Barn Owl (1).

Winter Finch Counts:-

Site totals:- Yellowhammer (115), Reed Bunting (8), Chaffinch (227),Goldfinch (3), Bullfinch (7), Stonechat (2), House Sparrow (43), Dunnock (5), Robin (16), Blackbird (16), Skylark (11), Collared Dove (5).

Barnacle Goose

9th January 2025

It is with a sad heart I pass on the news that Hugo Wood-Homer passed away yesterday. 

In the short time I knew him he was an inspirational figure expanding my ornithological knowledge at his home Bardolf Farm! 

I will endeavor to continue his work recording the birds that traverse the Farm. I'm certain Hugo will be watching!

Rest In Peace Hugo!

Green Sandpiper, Snipe (7), Shoveler (pair), Wigeon (228), Teal (115), Lapwing (60), Canada Geese (96), 

7th January 2025

 A day on the farm with water levels higher than in recent visits. The wildfowl were scattered across the site with a reduction in finches at Big and Little Straps.

Egyptian Geese 3, a pair in flight and a single bird on the meadows at Athelhampton.

Shoveler 2 a drake and female at Athelhampton. 

Lapwing 230 NW over Athelhampton, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black-headed Gull 41, Little Egret 6, Jack Snipe (Devil's Brook).

Chiffchaff 3 east side of cattle shed.

4th January 2025

A morning visit which has seen and increase of finch numbers at Big and Little Straps. Mobile flocks of Lapwing looking for feeding grounds. An increase of wildfowl at Athelhampton. The area above the ridge was not covered.

Wildfowl Counts:-

Greylag Goose (2) Canada Goose (164), Teal (68), Wigeon (154), Mallard (9), Snipe (10), Lapwing (86)

Finch Counts:-

Yellowhammer (87), Reed Bunting (35), Chaffinch (250), Goldfinch (3), Greenfinch, House Sparrow (45), Dunnock (2), 

3rd January 2025

An afternoon visit to the farm with Wigeon numbers up. Temperatures are set to drop overnight which presents the opportunity for more wildfowl and finches to congregate on the farm.

Canada Goose 136, Wigeon 318, Teal 13, Cormorant 4, Little Egret 7, Mallard 69 (65 to roost on River Piddle at Mill Mead). Raven S over Mill Mead. Common Gull 7 flight SW over Waterbarn Cottages.

Raven low over Green field to land in tree and call.

pm finch count over 200 birds present at Big and Little Straps.

Reed Bunting 47, Yellowhammer 72, Chaffinch 50, House Sparrow 35,

2nd January 2025

Happy New Year Everyone! My first visit to the farm in 2025. 

The water meadows had good numbers of wildfowl. Lapwing and Wigeon arrived once the sun had taken the edge off the frost.

Shoveler 4 (2m, 2f), Wigeon 198, Teal 30, Geese: Egyptian 2 (Athelhampton) Canada 174, Greylag 2, 

A Coot was on Causeway Pond which maybe a bird that has taken up residence with scattered sightings at the end of the year. Moorhen 2 and Little Grebe 5 were the other counts on the pond. 

A Green Sandpiper was noted opposite the Causeway Pond.

A Peregrine scattered the wildfowl as it flew over the meadows.

The mixed seed crop at Big and Little Straps is attracting the most finches. Chalk Pit held 147 Chaffinch. 

A high count of Reed Bunting 57 of various ages and plumages.

Yellowhammer 81,  Chaffinch 212, Linnet 40, Goldfinch 5, Greenfinch 3, Bullfinch, House Sparrow 40, 

Siskin 10 were feeding in the Alders at Burleston with Goldfinch.